Pioneers, Ploughs, and Politics: New Brunswick Planned Settlements

Unemployment Relief ActsFederal politicians passed several acts, in the early 1930s, to deal with the widespread problems of unemployment and poverty. The Unemployment Relief Act of 1930 set aside $20 million dollars of federal money to be used for a number of projects, particularly improving public works; constructing railways, roads, bridges, canals, and wharves; and reimbursing provinces and municipalities for their unemployment relief costs, including direct relief. New Brunswick's share of this sum for 1930-1931 was $500,000. This act was followed, in 1931, by the Unemployment and Farm Relief Act which, in essence, extended the term of the first act.